Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-02-04

JnelT surroundings Aunt Debby brought
water and towels for Rachcls toilet, and
fluttered around her solicitors, helpful and
motherly, and Rachel, weary of long com
panionship with men, delighted in the rest
fitness of association once more with gem
tie, swect-minded woman.
The heavy riding habit was entirely too
cumbersome for indoor wear, and Rachel
put on instead one of Aunt Debby's "linseyn
gowns, that hung from peg, and laughed at
the prim, dcmure mountain girl she saw in
the glass. After a good breakfast had still
farHler raised her spirits she ventured upon
little pleasantly about the dramatic posi-
bilities of a young lady who could assume
different characters with such facility.
The day passed quietly, with Rachel study
ing such of the Christmas festivities ms were
visible from the window, and from time to
time exchanging personal history with Aunt
Debby She learned that the latter had left
her home in the RoCkcastle mountains with
the Union army in the previous spring, and
gone on to Chattanooga. to assist her nephew,
FORMER, in obtaining the required informa-
ton when MitchelTs army advanced against
that place in the summer. When the army
rctreated to the Ohio, in September she had
come as far back ms Murfreesboro and there
stopped to await the army's return. which
she was confident would not be long delayed.
How brave and devoted you have been"
said Rachel warmly, as Aunt Debbv CON
cludcd her modestly told story No man
could have done better.
mo, honey" replied the elder woman, with
her wan face coloring family, "Tve done moth
in but my plain duty, ez / seed hit I've done
nothin' ter what they wouldve done hadn't
they been taken from me afore they had a
chance Like one who speaks ter us in the book,
I've been in journeyin's often, in perils of rob
bers, in perils of mine own Countrymen, in
perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in
WEAKNESS an painfuncss in watchings
often, in hunger an thirst, in Hastings often,
in cold an nakedness but he warns us not
ter glory in these things, but in those which
consarn our inhrmities"
"How great should be your reward"
Don't speak Of reward. only want my
freedom when I've armed hit--the freedom
ter leave an 'arth on which I've been left be-
hind, an go whar my husband an son are
waitin' fur me-"
She rose and paced the floor, with her face
and eyes shining.
Have you no fear Of death whateverr
asked Rachel iii amazement.
"Fear of DEATH Child, why should fear
uedln! WY lear uedll, illOrt tuttl
the unborn child fears birth7 Both are the
same. Hit can't be fur ter tibet other world
whar they wait fur me- Hit is not even ez
journey ter the next town-hits only one
little step through the curtain o green grass
an violets on sunny hillside-only one little
step"
She turned abruptly and going back to
her chair by the freside, seated herself in it,
81 Nsit bpr bap Ic bod
back and forth, and sang in low, sweet
Groom:
Oh, the rapturous, transporting scene,
That rises ter my sight;
Sweet fields arrayed in Twin green,
An rivers of delight.
All DER those wide extended plains
Shines one eternal day;
Thar God, the Son, forever reigns,
An scatters night away.
No chn winds poisonous breath
Kin reach tibet healthful Shore
Sickness an sorrow, pain an death,
Are felt an feared no more.
After dark Fortner came in. Both women
studied his face eagerly as he walked up to
the fire
"Nothin' yet, honey" he said to Aunt Deb
by, and "Nothin' yet, Miss to Rachel and
after little stay went out.
When Rachel awoke the next morning the
sky was lowering darby. On going to the
window she found most depressing change
from the scene of bright merriment she had
studied the night before. A chill winter rain
was falling with dreary persistence, pattering
on the dead leaves that covered the ground
and soaking into the sodden earth. Every
thing and everybody i'll sight added something
to increase the dismalness of the view, and as
Rachel continued to gaze upon it the "hor-
rors' took possession of her She began to
brood wretchedly over her position as a SOY
inside the enemy's lines, and upon all the con-
sequences of that position.
| 1t was late that night when Fortner came
in. As he entered the two expectant women
saw, by the rudy light of the fire, that hi.
face was set and his eyes flashing. He hung
his dripping hat on II peg in the chimney and
kicked the blazing logs with his wet boots I'M
til food Of meteor sparks few up the throat
/ of the fireplace Turning, he said, without
waiting to be questioned:
We'll, the hunts begun at last Our folks
come out'n Nashville this morning in three
big armies, marchin on different roads, an
they begun slashin' at the Confederates
wherever they could find EN-. Thar's been
fouten at Triune an Lavergne, an all along
the line They histed the Confetierates out'n
Their holes everywhar, an dIuv EN- back on
the jump. Wagon load arter wagon load o.
wounded's comm back. / come in ahead Of
long train agwne ter the hospital. Harki
ye kin heah em now
-. ..'r.r
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